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St. Dominic School Robotic Program

SPRK+ (Students Parents Robots Kids)

A new Robotics Program at St. Dominic School is teaching students how to write computer code. By using Sphero robots along with the Sphero app on their ipads or chromebooks, they are programming their robot to do many things. They are learning how to create electronic games, program their robot to move and jump across the room, navigate a map, run through a course that they have built and so much more.

Students also have accounts at several coding websites that teach different coding languages such as Python and Java, as well as SCRATCH from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Learning to code is an increasingly important skill as it uses all the STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math.)

It also teaches and reinforces critical thinking skills as well as utilizes strategies to help when you have written your code incorrectly!

Learning to code is definitely a "student - led" process. Certain students instinctively figure out the process and demonstrate to classmates how to solve problems. They are instructed to show and teach others how to achieve the goals they have acquired. This not only helps the other student, but reinforces the concept in the mind of the student who is teaching.

All this coding has been inspired by the addition of our new Robotics Program. Thanks to a very generous donor to our Magic Match program, as well as grants from KHQA One Class At a Time and The Quincy Noon Kiwanis, and our St. Dominic PTO, we were able to purchase 20 robots as an initial investment in our new Robotics Program. Students use the SPHERO app on their ipads to write the code and control their robot. They really enjoy the opportunity to learn how to code, then run the program to determine its success. What an awesome hands-on, real-life learning experience!

The most recent 8th grade Graduation video will be uploaded shortly, but here is the link to a previous Graduation video. 8th grade students are completely responsible for taking the photos, creating the video, adding animation, text and comments.

At St. Dominic School, all K-8th Grade students enjoy two 40 - minute computer classes each week.

Pre-school students have one computer class per week.

During these classes, we focus on:

the Microsoft Office Suite of products including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Publisher.

Google applications such as Google Docs, Presentations, Spreadsheets and gmail. We use Google Classroom and Google Apps for Education. Students in Grades 4-8 all have secure school email accounts to receive and send homework assignments to their teacher.

Educational websites that focus on Math, Reading, Spelling, Science, Social Studies, Religion, Internet Safety and Security, Music and Language Arts. These educational websites correlate to topics instructors are teaching in the classroom, in order to reinforce classroom instruction.

Keyboarding - students use Typing Master keyboarding software (thanks to a grant from Adams Electric Cooperative). With this software, students learn the correct procedure for typing with all fingers to improve their typing accuracy and speed.

Computer Coding and other STEM skills

Movie Maker and other multi-media programs

Web 2.0 tools

A new Robotics Program inspires creativity, collaboration, STEM skills and lots of fun!!

If you would like to visit any of the educational websites that we use during the year, please feel free to access my bookmarking website:

www.IKeepBookmarks.com

The account email is simply: stdom8.

There is no password.

During the year, I will be adding many of the websites that we use during class to IKeepBookmarks.com.

Be sure to check back often to discover educational websites that your student can enjoy and keep learning from home!

Thank you!

Mrs. Nan Wood

Computer Instructor

Pictures of St. Dominic Pre-School students enjoying the many educational opportunities that are offered in our state-of-the-art computer lab:

In our school computer lab, we have 25 HP All-in-One computers with large 23" monitors. (Thanks to the family of Carl Wiskerchen.) There is a new server and new filter system in place. Fiber Optic technology is now installed for fast, reliable internet service. (Thanks to the Tracy Family Foundation.) Each teacher has an iPad with an Apple TV, as well as a Smart Board and Elmo Documentation Camera. The 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th grade students use the new iPad Air. Sync Carts in several classrooms allow students to keep their ipads charged, as well as allow teachers to push apps to each ipad quickly and efficiently. The fifth grade and 6th grades use chrome books and netbooks in the classroom. The younger grades have opportunities to use the 3rd and 4th grade ipads. As far as technology goes, St. Dominic School continues to stay ahead of the curve!